Oneida Indian Nation sets July 27 grand opening date for the Lake House at Sylvan Beach

SYLVAN BEACH, N.Y. — The Oneida Indian Nation has set July 27 as the grand opening of the Lake House at Sylvan Beach, a new dining and entertainment venue.

It’s located on Park Ave. in Sylvan Beach at the site of the former DiCastro’s restaurant and event hall.

The construction of the Lake House created more than 150 construction jobs. Once open, the Lake House will create 60 new jobs.

The Lake House will feature 100 slot machines, indoor and outdoor lakefront dining options, three bars, a patio, and an outdoor area for live entertainment. With a contemporary rustic design, the Lake House will also feature a 50-foot tall lighthouse. Guests must be 18 years old or older to enter the property.

“As we navigate and recover responsibly from the current pandemic, we are continuing to plan for the long-term economic development of our region,” Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Nation Enterprises CEO Ray Halbritter said in a release. “The addition of The Lake House to our expanding roster of world-class properties is the latest example of our commitment to create new jobs and make Central New York a year-round tourist destination for years to come.”

Safety protocols

The Lake House will follow the same “Safer Together” protocols as all Oneida Indian Nation properties.

Those protocols include mandatory face coverings for employees, guests, and vendors wherever feasible. When face coverings for guests are not feasible, physical distancing and limited occupancy will be enforced.

In addition, gloves are required for all employees who are working in direct contact with guests.

The protocols also include daily, non-invasive contactless temperature checks for all employees and brief survey questions to identify potential exposure to coronavirus.

The Oneida Nation says it is also using “enhanced” cleaning measures. They include new technology that alerts guests with an on-screen notification of the exact time the slot machine was last sanitized. Also, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) air changeover levels will be maintained at “significantly greater” capacity and will exceed those required by the standard commercial code.

The Lake House will also have touchless hand-sanitizer dispensers placed at every guest entry point and throughout the property.